India's Republic Day Celebration: A Commemoration of Democratic Progress

1. Republic Day commemorates India's adoption of a democratic constitution 61 years ago. India gained freedom from British colonial rule in 1947. In New Delhi, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was the chief guest at a parade by thousands of Indian soldiers displaying the country's growing military might. The parade also showcased the country's cultural heritage with thousands of young people dancing in the streets. PRESENTED BY UNKNOWN – BROUGHT TO YOU BY http://suratiundhiyu.wordpress.com/

2. Indian police march down Rajpath during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi on January 26, 2011. India celebrated its 62nd Republic Day under heavy security, with tensions running high in Kashmir over efforts by Hindu nationalists to hold a rally in the troubled region's state capital. AFP/ Getty Images / Raveendran

3. Indian paramilitary soldiers march in the Republic Day parade in the backdrop of the Presidential Palace in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011. AP / Gurinder Osan PRESENTED BY UNKNOWN – BROUGHT TO YOU BY http://suratiundhiyu.wordpress.com/

4.  Indian army soldiers of Sikh Light Infantry Regiment march during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011. AP / Manish Swarup

5. An Indian navy contingent marches in the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011. AP / Gurinder Osan

6. Indian schoolchildren perform a Rajasthan folk dance at the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011. AP / Gurinder Osan

7. Indian school children perform a Punjabi folk dance Bhangra at the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011. AP / Gurinder Osan

8. Indian soldiers march during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011. AP / Manish Swarup

9. A Delhi Police contingent marches in the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011. AP / Gurinder Osan

10. An Indian army contingent of the Punjab Regiment marches in the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011. AP / Gurinder Osan

11. A camel-mounted Border Security contingent marches past spectators at the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011. AP / Manish Swarup

12. An Indian army contingent of the Punjab Regiment marches in the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011. AP / Gurinder Osan

13. An Indian navy contingent marches in the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011. AP / Gurinder Osan

14. An Indian army contingent of the Sikh Light Infantry Regiment marches in the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011. AP / Gurinder Osan

15. An Indian paramilitary contingent marches in the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011. AP / Gurinder Osan

16. Indian soldiers march during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011. AP / Manish Swarup PRESENTED BY UNKNOWN – BROUGHT TO YOU BY http://suratiundhiyu.wordpress.com/

17. An Indian army soldier salutes beside a Pinaka multiple rocket launcher at the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011. AP / Gurinder Osan

18. An Indian army contingent marches during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011. AP / Gurinder Osan

19. An Indian paramilitary contingent marches during the Republic Day celebrations in Bangalore, India, Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011. AP / Aijaz Rahi

20. Jammu And Kashmir Armed Police officers (JKAP) participate in a Republic Day parade held at Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar on January 26, 2011. AFP/ Getty Images / TAUSEEF MUSTAFA

21. A Jammu And Kashmir Armed Police (JKAP) servicemen participate in a Republic Day parade held at Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar on January 26, 2011. AFP/ Getty Images / Tauseef Mustafa

22. A Kashmiri performer looks on during a Republic Day parade held at Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar on January 26, 2011. AFP/ Getty Images / Tauseef Mustafa

23. Indian schoolchildren participate in a cultural dance program during a Republic Day parade in Bangalore on January 26, 2011. AFP/ Getty Images / Dibyangshu Sarkar

24.  Indian schoolchildren dressed as tigers wait to perform during a Republic Day parade in Bangalore on January 26, 2011. AFP/ Getty Images / Dibyangshu Sarkar

25. A cutout depicting India in the colours of its national flag is seen during a Republic Day parade in Bangalore on January 26, 2011. AFP/ Getty Images / Dibyangshu Sarkar

26. An Indian army's Assam regiment soldier commands his troop during the Republic Day parade in Calcutta, India, Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011. AP / Bikas Das

27. An Indian serviceman salutes during a ceremonial parade at Secunderabad, the twin city of Hyderabad, on January 26, 2011. AFP/ Getty Images / Noah Seelam

28. Indian school children wave Indian national flags during a Republic Day parade in Bangalore on January 26, 2011. AFP/ Getty Images / Dibyangshu Sarkar

29. A Jammu and Kashmir state policeman performs a motorcycle stunt during Republic Day celebrations in Jammu, India, Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011. AP / Channi Anand 

30. Indian Border Security Force (BSF) soldiers perform motorcycle stunts during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi on January 26, 2011. AFP/ Getty Images / Raveedran

31. Indian schoolchildren perform during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi on January 26, 2011. AFP/ Getty Images / Raveedran

32. A float representing the Indian state of Bihar rolls past the reviewing stand during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi on January 26, 2011. AFP/ Getty Images / Raveedran

33. A float representing the Indian state of Kerala appears in the Republic Day parade in New Delhi on January 26, 2011. AFP/ Getty Images / Raveedran

34. Indian paramilitary soldiers march down Rajpath during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi on January 26, 2011. AFP/ Getty Images / Raveedran

35. Indian paramilitary soldiers march down Rajpath during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi on January 26, 2011. AFP/ Getty Images / Raveedran

36. Indian soldiers march down Rajpath during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi on January 26, 2011. AFP/ Getty Images / Raveedran PRESENTED BY UNKNOWN – BROUGHT TO YOU BY http://suratiundhiyu.wordpress.com/

37. Indian soldiers march down Rajpath during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi on January 26, 2011. AFP/ Getty Images / Raveedran

38. Raveendran / AFP - Getty Images Indian soldiers march down Rajpath during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, Jan. 26. India celebrated its 62nd Republic Day under heavy security, with tensions running high in Kashmir over efforts by Hindu nationalists to hold a rally in the troubled region's state capital. Security was especially tight in New Delhi where large sections of the capital were sealed off for the annual parade of military hardware.

39. Ajay Verma / Reuters Dancers perform during the Republic Day celebrations in the northern Indian city of Chandigarh Jan. 26, 2011. India celebrated its 62nd Republic Day on Wednesday.

40. Raminder Pal Singh / EPA Indian students wave tri-colored strips, representing the colors of the Indian national flag as they perform during India's Republic Day celebrations in the northern Indian city of Amritsar, Jan. 26.

41. Noah Seelam / AFP - Getty Images Indian army sodiers participate in the final full dress rehearsal for the Republic Day in Secunderabad, the twin city of Hyderabad, Jan. 24. India will celebrate its 62nd Republic Day on January 26, 2011.

42. he Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh laid wreath at Amar Jawan Jyoti, India Gate on the occasion of the 62nd Republic Day Parade-2011, in New Delhi. Looking on are the three service chiefs.

43. (From L-R) India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Vice President Hamid Ansari, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, India's President Pratibha Patil, Patil's husband Devisingh Shekhawat, Yudhoyono's wife Kristiani Yudhoyono and Singh's wife Gursharan Kaur watch the Republic Day parade through a bulletproof enclosure in New Delhi January 26, 2011. Yudhoyono is on a four-day state visit to India and was the chief guest at India's 62nd Republic Day celebrations on Wednesday.

44. A bird’s eye view of Rajpath, during the 62nd Republic Day Parade-2011, in New Delhi.

45. The Air Force marching contingent passes through the Rajpath

46. India's Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) march during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi January 26, 2011. India celebrates its 62nd Republic Day on Wednesday.

47. Indian Border Security Force (BSF) soldiers ride their camels during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi January 26, 2011. India celebrated its 62nd Republic Day on Wednesday.

50. The tableau of Central Public Works Department passes through the Rajpath during the 62nd Republic Day Parade-2011, in New Delhi on January 26, 2011. The tableau of Ministry of Railways passes through the Rajpath during the 62nd Republic Day Parade-2011, in New Delhi on January 26, 2011.